Allardyce says Carroll Signing is Main Priority

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says the club will do all they can to sign Andy Carroll as he believes the striker is key to their chances of moving to the next level.

The Hammers finished off their season in fine style on Sunday, with skipper Kevin Nolan netting a hat-trick as they beat relegated Reading 4-2 at Upton Park, to confirm their position in the top half of the table.

Having been promoted via the play-offs last season, it’s been a highly successful campaign for the East Londoners and with Allardyce recently signing a new two-year contract, the future certainly looks bright for West Ham.

However, the boss is certainly not looking to rest on his laurels and knows he has to continue to build his squad if they are to develop.

Key to their chances will be keeping Carroll, who after arriving on loan from Liverpool last summer, has established himself as a key member of the starting line-up.

The two clubs are currently locked in negotiations over a permanent deal, with the player’s wages thought to be one of the main stumbling blocks.

Allardyce knows just how important the 24-year-old's signing could be to his side’s chances and has made hammering out a deal for the player his main priority for the summer.

"If we can start with Andy Carroll that would be a great achievement for us as he can only get better and better," the experienced boss said. "Then we build around that in terms of how we want to improve next year, with better quality. It is our target to make it a permanent situation."

"Hopefully we can get somewhere in the near future to do that.  It’s our main priority.  There are negotiations between the club and Liverpool.”

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